I just got back from the vans first long distance trip. Me the 84 westy and
my dog Sarge. The only problem that we had was at a gas station in El Centro,
CA. The engine idle would not come down from 2k. After filling up it would
not catch. I pushed her into a space on the street and met a nice guy willing
to help. Although at 10 pm there's not a lot to do except check the obvious
and wait.
  Woke up at 3am and she fired right up. Drove up from the desert over the
Laguna's (I think) into a headwind and a 6% grade. The engine screaming at 4k
in second and third. Scary stuff.
  We stayed in Ocean Beach the capital of type 2's in SoCal. Had a great time
at the dog beach with Sarge and the weather was just perfection. I met many
nice folks and am pleased that the van was so comfortable to live in.
   I learned lots of things that only come from experience. For example: How
to drive with my left foot on accelerator duty. That if you don't have ac you
should wait till night to drive across New Mexico and Arizona. And to smile
at everyone you see and 9 times out of 10 you'll get one back. California if
your reading this you've captured my heart and I'll be back next summer to
see the rest of you and maybe make a new home.
Jim Gregory